The shocking allegation leaves many questions about the tragedy still unanswered.

“The captain was intentionally locked outside minutes before the A320 crashed into an alpine mountain ridge, French Prosecutor Brice Robin said Thursday,” as The Wall Street Journal reports. “Co-pilot Andreas Lubitz, a 28-year-old German national, was silent throughout the plane’s descent and was alive at the point of impact, according to the prosecutor.” (WSJ and NYT)

“Faced with a Department of Justice investigation into the men and women charged with protecting U.S. commercial flights from terrorism, former and current air marshals are coming forward to describe a ‘wheels-up, rings-off’ culture rife with adultery, prostitution, and other misconduct,” a story from The Center for Investigative Reporting says. In highlighting the piece, Gawker proclaims that “being an air marshal is the sweetest, horniest job in the world.” (The Center for Investigative Reporting and Gawker)

Changes to the Facebook Messenger app could make it possible for airlines and hotels to interact with customers—and resolve complaints—through the platform. (NYT)

American Airlines and US Airways will officially combine their frequent flier programs this weekend, in a big test of their on-going merger. (The Cranky Flier)